The Hallmaster's Trust
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 7th April 2008
Characters: Almonteo, Eilomar
Description: Almonteo actually seeks out Eilomar's opinion
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 9, day 4 of Turn 4
"Ah, my dear Master Eilomar, please come in," the Hallmaster smiled, indicating that the man should take a seat opposite him.
"Hallmaster Almonteo," Eilomar said with a nod and fell heavily into the seat.
"I have a favor to ask you, sir. I need your advice." And Almonteo knew just how much the choir Master loved to feel useful.
Eilomar beamed. "I'm always happy to help."
"I'm going to be meeting with the Lord Holder of Emerald Falls soon. I never really had the chance to live at the Hall while it was under contract to the Hold. I am sure that our previous relationship will be part of our discussion, but I will need to rely on the insight of those who had lived and worked with them in order to paint an accurate picture of our side of the situation." And no one in the Hall could be relied upon to give their absolute honest opinion like Eilomar, even when it was _not_ sought after.
"Ah, yes. I've lived a long time in Emerald Falls. I was born there, actually. It's been a bit restless lately and then there was that terrible fire..." Eilomar shuddered when he remembered that night.
Almonteo leaned closer, crossing his arms on his desk. "Until that moment, Eilomar, did you _like_ living at Emerald Falls?"
"Yes, I did. It is a beautiful place and with nice climate too."
Unlike Dolphin Cove which was way too hot for the overweight singer.
"What about the people? Were they friendly to the Hall?"
"They were, up untill the moment we strayed from the hold's general policy and started accepting female apprentices. That angered many people, including the Lord Holder. Of course, Emerald Falls has a new Lord now, and I heard he is changing things. Including the way they treat women. For good or bad, that remains to be seen." Eilomar tried to be as objective he could, considering that he had been one of masters that had objected opening up the hall for female apprentices.
Yes, that was the big question. Almonteo had heard good things about the new Lord Holder. There might even be the glimmer of hope for possibility of a reconciliation. But he had to do what was in the best intrest of his own people. "Do you miss your life at Emerald Falls?
Would you like to move back there someday?"
"Yes, I do miss it. I've always thought the place as my home. I never really felt home here at the weyr. Too different," Eilomar said and snorted.
"After all that happened, do you think you could you feel safe there?"
Now that was hard question and Eilomar couldn't answer it right away.
"Depends," he said finally, "If the Lord Holder can guarantee our safety and if nobody tries to burn us down."
"Now, Eilomar, I would like your honest opinion," and he was sure the Master would give it, even if he knew it was not what Almonteo wanted to hear. "Would you feel safe moving back to Emerald Falls even if we still had female crafters?"
Again, Eilomar had to ponder it a while. "I would be first one packing," he said finally. "There's ways to make us safe, and this new Lord seems like reasonable man. The previous troubles, they were partly hall's fault too. You see, the previous hallmaster and his second seemed to defy and annoy young Enrizial on purpose. Young, inexperienced and unsecure in his position, he reacted strongly to it.
Some rumored that _he_ gave the order to start that fire. He's now replaced and things had settled down in Emerald Falls Hold."
Almonteo nodded. Yes, there were plenty of rumors, and very few reliable facts. He never had put much stock in rumors. "Well, even if a reconciliation is possible, it will not happen any time soon. I hope I can trust you not to speak of this conversation to anyone."
"You can trust me," Eilomar promised. The Hallmaster's trust flattered his ego enourmously.
"I would not have saught you out if I didn't already believe I could,"
Almonteo smiled. And amazingly enough, he meant it.
Last updated on the April 9th 2008